After three premierships with East Fremantle between 1928 and 1932, Jones was recruited to Melbourne on the promise of a job with the oil company of chairman Joe Blair, 'Tiger' Jones debuted the year Checker Hughes took over as coach and rapidly made himself a fixture in the senior side. In an otherwise disappointing 1933 season for the club Jones played 14 games and won the Best First Year Player award.

The start of Jones' 1934 campaign was delayed by illness, and he didn't play his first game until Round 9. He recovered to play 18 games the next year, and was named deputy vice captain in 1936.

Three times voted "Best Utility Player", he lined up on a half-forward flank in the 1939 Grand Final and booted three goals. He missed the 1940 premiership after taking over as coach of Terang. That year he also played with Port Melbourne. He returned to play one game with the Demons in 1941 before transferring to Brighton. Enlisted in the RAAF in 1941. Played one further game for Brighton in 1945.